Mt. Ararat PermitIt is necessary for a Mount Ararat climb to apply a Permission (Permit) given by the government.Therefore it is necessary to confirm your Mount Ararat climb 60 days in advance before the Tour begins and to send us all necessary Personal Details of each Group Member by time to complete all requirements.

Necessary Details we need 60 days in advance:– Your full name & surname (as indicated in the passport)– Date and place of birth– Nationality– Passport number– Issue & expiry date of passport (please make sure that expiry date is beyond your Travel Dates)

Day 1 : Kayseri to Aladaglar national park

Meet at the Kayseri airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to the Taurus Mountains, Aladaglar National park where we spend the next four Nights.Transfer time: 2 h; transfer distance: 145 km; (Kayseri airport – Taurus Mountains Aladaglar National park)ON: next to the Aladaglar national park at at the Mountain Hut/or Local village Pension Meals: – / – / D

Day 2 : Aladaglar national park; Mount Alaca 3.585m

After breakfast we drive to the valley of Aksampinari where we start our todays Ski Tour. We climb up to the Siyirmalik Valley with an easy ascend and through a pine forested Area. After reaching the end of the Valley, with beautiful views to the Parmakkaya (Finger Rock) we continue to Avciveli Pass at 3.400m until we reach the Summit of Mount Alaca (3.585m). We have a magnificent skiing descent through the Big Mangirci Valley until we reach the Sarimehmetler plateau where our vehicle is waiting for us. Afterwards we drive back to our overnight accommodation.Ascent: 1.300m; descent: 1.650mON: next to the Aladaglar national park at at the Mountain Hut/or Local village Pension
Meals: B / L / D

Day 3 : Aladaglar national park; Mount Emler 3.723m

After breakfast we drive to the Sokulupinar plateau at an altitude of approximately 1.800/2.000m (depends on the day’s road & snow conditions). After four hours of climbing, we arrive at the Celikbuyduran Pass at an altitude of 3.450m. Next to the Celikbuyduran pass we start our ascent to the Emler Summit with another 300m climbing to reach the summit from the Pass. From the Summit itself it is possible to see the Mt. Erciyes (3.917m) to the North, the Mt. Hasan (3.268m) to the West, the Bolkar Range to the South and all important Summits of the Aladaglar Range. We ski down on the same way to our starting point at Sokulupinar and drive from there back to our overnight accommodation.Ascent/descent: approximately 1.923/1.723m; (depends on road conditions & starting point)ON: next to the Aladaglar national park at at the Mountain Hut/or Local village Pension Meals: B / L / D

In the morning we drive to the Sokulupinar area and start from here our ascent to the Demirkazik Pass (3.400m) via Narpuz Valley. From the Pass we ski down to Arpalik Plateau first and follow from there panoramic Cimbar Canyon, 15 to 100 metres wide and hundreds of meters high walls leading down to the village of Demirkazik. At the end of the Canyon our vehicle awaits us and we drive back to our overnight accommodation.Ascent: 1.400m; descent: 1.900mON: next to the Aladaglar national park at at the Mountain Hut/or Local village Pension Meals: B / L / D

Day 5 : Kayseri; Mt. Erciyes 3.916m

In the morning we drive to the Erciyes Mountain. Latinized as Argeus by the ancient Romans, Erciyes is a massive stratovolcano, located 25 km to the south of Kayseri. The Erciyes Mountain is the highest mountain in central Anatolia, with its summit reaching 3.916m. It is considered to be the highest peak of the Anti-Taurus mountain range. At an altitude of approximately 2.100m we start our today’s ski experience. We climb up to the Summit of Erciyes Mountain with magnificent views to the Anatolian area. Afterwards we ski down to our starting point again where we will take time to have a traditional Turkish Tea, better known as Cay. Afterwards we drive to Kayseri where we spend the Night.Transfer time: 2 h; transfer distance: 120 km; (Taurus Mountains Aladaglar National park – Kayseri Mt. Erciyes) Ascent/descent: approximately 1.816m ON: in Kayseri at the HotelMeals: B / L / D

Day 6 : Kayseri & Night train to Erzurum

After breakfast we take time to visit the city centre of Kayseri, one of the most important cities in the country, a large city with a strong economy. The City is rich in historical monuments from the days of Seljuk’s and Ottomans; and is also the home town of the most accomplished architect Mimar Sinan. In the afternoon after arrival we take time to walk through Kayseri’s old city centre, where we will see the remains of the old Citadel and its walls, the citadels inner side is home to an nearby 800 years old covered bazaar. In the city centre it is also possible to see some of the most impressive mosques of Central Anatolia, The Kursunlu mosque, the Hunat mosque and the Burunguz mosque are masterpieces from the Seljuk period. In the early or late evening (Night) we drive to the Kayseri Train station and take the Night Train to Erzurum.ON: at the Trains sleeper Wagons / 2 Persons per Cabin / Single reservation not possibleMeals: B / L / D

Day 7 : Erzurum to Dogubeyazit; sightseeing Ishak pasha palace

After arrival in Erzurum we continue to Dogubeyazit; a settlement with a long history. It lies 15 km southwest of Mount Ararat and 35 km from the Iranian border. The area has had a rich history since it was settled during the times of the first Armenian Kingdom of Urartu. The Area was subsequently conquered by Persians, Romans, Arabs and Byzantines all of whom would have used the plain to rest and recoup during their passages across the mountains. In Dogubeyazit we take time to visit Ishak Pasha Palace. The palace is built on a hill at the side of a mountain 5 km (3 mi) east of Dogubeyazit. It was the last large monumental structure in the Ottoman Empire from the “Lale Devri” period. It is one of the most distinguished and magnificent examples of the 18th century Ottoman architecture and is very valuable in terms of art history. Transfer time: 4 h; Transfer distance: 280 km (Erzurum – Dogubeyazit)ON: in Dogubeyazit at the HotelMeals: B / L / D

Day 8 : Ascent to Mount Ararat Camp I (Base camp) 2.500/2.700m

After Breakfast we load our luggage and camping equipment on our vehicle and drive via Topcatan village to Eli Village (2.000m), Between 1.900 and 2.000m (according to road conditions) we will start our ascent. Our luggage will be carried by mules and horses which will be arranged in advance. We climb up to our first Camp Side (Base Camp) which we will establish at a high of 2.500m or 2.700m and our cook will arrange the meals for the evening. We spend the Night at the Camp.Transfer time: approximately 1 h (Hotel Dogubeyazit – starting point / depends on Road Conditions)ascent: between 1.000m and 1.400m; (4/5 h) (depends on Road, Weather and Snow conditions)ON: at Mount Ararat base camp 2.500/2.700mMeals: B / L / D

Today is an acclimatization day up to 3.700 or 3.900m. High altitude is defined as altitudes than 3.000m and AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) may appear above this level and doesn’t matter if you are fit or not, can happen to anyone anytime. Question is good hydration and not overexerting. So an acclimatization climb is certainly necessary and on Mt Ararat we follow this rule. We ascend up to second camp and even more depending on our limits and weather and ski descend back to camp 1 and prepare ourselves for the next day to move up Camp II.Ascent/descent: between 1.000m and 1.400m; (4/5 h) (depends on the altitude of base & high camps)ON: at Mount Ararat base camp 2.500/2.700mMeals: B / L / D

Day 10 : Ascent to Camp II (High camp) 3.700/3.900m

After breakfast we ascend to the second campsite at an altitude of 3.700m or 3.900m. After reaching the campsite, we set up our tents and we take a rest. In the afternoon, we can make walks on higher altitude and ski down to get acclimatized.Ascent/descent: between 1.000m and 1.400m; (4/5 h) (depends on the altitude of base & high camps)ON: at Mount Ararat high camp 3.700/3.900mMeals: B / L / D

Very early in the morning we will have breakfast and start our ascent before sunrise. After a very hard ascent, because of the steep slopes, we will reach the Glacier at 4.750m. Depending on the Snow Conditions it can happen that we need to use Crampons. We continue our ascent till we reach the Summit of the Mt. Ararat. If the weather is clear we can see the Mt. Damavand in Iran, the Elbrus in the Caucasus and the Kackar Mountains near the Black Sea. We enjoy the great panoramic view from the Summit and afterwards start descending to the Base Camp.Ascent: 1.437m; descent: between 2.637m and 2.437 m; (7/8 h) (depends on the altitude of Base Camp)ON: at Mount Ararat base camp 2.500/2.700mMeals: B / L / D

Day 12 : Camp I (Base camp) descent back to Dogubeyazit & drive to Van

In the morning we descend to the village of Eli and drive from there down to Dogubeyazit and continue to Van. Archaeological excavations and surveys carried out in the Van province and environs prove that the history of the city itself goes back as far as 5000 B.C. Under the ancient name of Tushpa, Van was the capital of the Urartian kingdom in the 9th century BC. Today Van is more known as “The Pearl of the East” because of the beauty of its surrounding landscapes. We spend the next two Nights in Van at the Hotel.Descent: between 1.000m and 1.400m; (4/5 h) (depends on Road, Weather and Snow conditions)Transfer time: 2/3 h; transfer distance: 180 km (Van – Dogubeyazit)ON: in Van at the HotelMeals: B / L / D

Day 13 : Mt. Artos 3.537m

After breakfast we drive to the town of Gevas where we will start our first Ski Tour. At an altitude of approximately 1.700/1.800m (depending on Road & snow conditions) we start our ascent, after approximately 4/5 hours we will reach the Summit of Mt. Artos, known as one of the most famous Summits in eastern Anatolia. The Summit rewards us with beautiful views to the Lake Van down below and the Anatolian Highlands around. After enjoying this beautiful scenery we ski down on the same way back to our vehicle. In Gevas town and next to Lake Van we will have a break and taste a cup of traditional Turkish Tea, known as Cay. In the late afternoon we drive back to Van where we spend the Night at the Hotel.Ascent/descent: approximately 1.737m (4/5 h) (depends on Road, Weather and Snow conditions)Transfer time: 30/45 min; transfer distance: 45 km (Van – Gevas/Mt. Artos starting point)ON: in Van at the HotelMeals: B / L / D

Price Excludes– Professional Ski Guide– All International and Domestic Flights– Travel insurance– Extra Transports and transfers other than stated in the Itinerary– All kind of Soft and Alcoholic drinks, Bottled Water, Tea & Coffee– Meals other than stated in the Itinerary– All kind of personal expenses– All kind of Entrance fees for historical and natural sites– All kind of optional activities– Extra Nights– Single supplements– Single Tents– Personal Equipment– Tips